Eastern Mass YMCA Swim League
Competitive
Swim Team
Rule Book
Revised September 2010
YMCA Mission
The YMCA Mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind
and body for all. It is extremely important that YMCA competitive swimming and diving programs are
consistent with the YMCA mission, as well as the YMCA’s initiatives “For Healthy Living, For Youth
Development, and For Social Responsibility. This means that YMCA competitive swimming and diving
programs should focus on the development of the whole person, the strengthening of the family and the
inclusion of all in the community who desire to participate. These programs should use competitive swimming
and diving as a means by which to build positive character and assets. The focus should be on competing with
dignity and respect while striving for one’s personal best. Winning is not the primary goal in YMCA
competitive sports.
Rules and Guidelines
All YMCA competitive sports, including swimming, must comply with the Rules that Govern YMCA
Competitive Sports. This document is published by the YMCA of the USA and does not change yearly. It is
posted on the YMCA Competitive Swimming and Diving website (www.ymcaswimminganddiving.org).
Additional rules apply to the YMCA National Championship meets and the recognition of YMCA National
Records and YMCA Top 10 status. These rules are established by the National YMCA Competitive Swimming
and Diving Advisory Committee, hereafter referred to as the National Advisory Committee. These rules may
change from time to time. The National Championship Meet Handbooks, YMCA National Record Rules and
YMCA Top 10 Rules are posted on the YMCA Competitive Swimming and Diving website
(www.ymcaswimminganddiving.org).
The rules that are established by the National Advisory Committee for the YMCA National Championship
meets, YMCA National Records and YMCA Top 10 also serve as guidelines for local league, state and regional
committees. While these local, league, state and regional committees are not required to follow the National
Advisory Committee’s rules, they are strongly encouraged to do so.
In order for closed competitions to be recognized as National Championship Meet qualifying competitions, they
must follow the same rules established for the conduct of the National Championship Meets. These guidelines
may be updated from time to time by the National Advisory Committee.
The National Advisory Committee has adopted the USA Swimming Technical Rules for the conduct of the
National Championship Meets. These rules also apply to all closed competition meets serving as qualifying
meets for the National Championship Meets, including dual meets and league, district, cluster, state area or
group championships.
Coaching Staff
Coaches of YMCA teams should be employees or volunteers of the YMCA, hired and supervised by a member of
the YMCA staff, not a parent’s organization or an independent club. YMCAs should follow their current hiring and
screening procedures when hiring or assigning coaches. This includes conducting in-depth interviews, researching a
candidate’s credentials, checking references and performing background checks and drug tests as established by the
YMCA’s human resources officer or department.
Once hired, coaches are subject to either the personnel policies or volunteer policies of the YMCA. Head coaches
should be treated as YMCA professionals and should be included in staff meetings and training opportunities. They
should be held to the same standards and protocols as other program directors and they should be consulted on
matters that affect the competitive swimming and diving program. Coaches should be encouraged to participate in
both YMCA and sport-specific trainings in order to constantly improve their ability to develop the youth and
children involved in the competitive swimming and diving program.
It is important to maintain a cooperative relationship and regular communication between the YMCA leadership and
the competitive swimming and diving leadership. All coaches and directors share responsibility in preserving a
positive and supportive environment.
When attending meets at sites other than his/her own YMCA, the head coach is the official representative of that
YMCA and is ultimately responsible for the conduct and behavior of the swimmers, coaches, parents, and spectators
accompanying the team.
All coaches wishing to be on the deck at the District or New England Championship Meets are required to have
taken the Principles of YMCA Competitive Swimming and Diving course.
1. Safety Certifications
a. The YMCA of the USA recommends that all coaches who work with YMCA competitive
swimmers be currently certified in the following areas. Coaches must hold current certifications
in these areas in order to be permitted on deck at the YMCA National Championship meets. An
instructor’s certification by itself does not satisfy the requirement for current certification.
1. CPR
2. First Aid
3. Lifeguarding or Safety Training for Swim Coaches
4. Principles of YMCA Competitive Swimming and Diving
b. The YMCA of the USA recognizes certifications from the following organizations:
1. American Red Cross
2. American Heart Association
3. American Safety and Health Institute
4. National Safety Council
5. YMCA of the USA
c. The YMCA of the USA also recommends that all coaches who works with YMCA competitive
swimmers participate in YMCA Child Abuse Prevention or its equivalent as a part of their new
employee orientation.
2.
Age Groups
A swimmer’s age as of December 1 of the current season determines each swimmer’s age group.
Class A
Class B
Class C
Class D
Class E
15 – 18 or still in High School
13-14
11-12
9-10
8 and under
NOTE: A swimmer is eligible to compete through the age of 17, or 18 if he/she is completing
12th Grade for the first time.
3.
Records
1. Separate records will be kept for Boys and Girls in all age groups. These may be established at a
dual meet or at a championship meet.
2. Records will be recognized for 3 pool sizes; 20 yd pools, 25 yd pools, and 25 meter pools.
3. Application for a new record should be made on the proper form See Attachment B) and send to the
League coordinator immediately following the meet in which the time was made. In the absence of
an electronic timing, a gun/strobe start 2 certified officials and 3 timers are required.
4.
Competition
The YMCA of the USA views competition as a means by which the core values are taught and
individual assets are developed. Healthy competition promotes a dedicated effort to reach one’s
potential with dignity, integrity and sportsmanship. All YMCA competitions should promote
healthy competition and not a “winning at all costs” attitude
A. General
1. Eligibility
a. Open to any swimmer in the Eastern MA area from a YMCA holding an
eligibility Certificate. League Directors may allow YMCA teams from
outside of the Eastern MA area join the League on a case by case basis.
b. Competitors must be members of their YMCA for 30 days before competing
for that YMCA in dual meets. A swimmer may not be entered in a YMCA
meet during this period of time. Competitors must be a member of their
YMCA for 90 days for any Championship meet including Districts, New
England’s, and Nationals.
c. Swimmers can only compete for his/her YMCA in swimming competition
between October 1, and May 31 of any given competitive year. High School,
Junior High School, and Pre School meets are exempt from this rule.
YMCA’s with USA charters are covered for both YMCA and USA
competition. If a YMCA is not a registered club and any of that YMCA’s
swimmers compete for and represent a separate USA club, those swimmers
are in violation of this rule and are ineligible for any further YMCA
competition. Previous dual meet and championship meet performances are
disqualified and meet scores for the affected classes will be forfeited.
d. A swimmer wishing to transfer from one YMCA to another is eligible to
represent the new YMCA upon a written agreement of the Executive
Director’s of each association, approving such a transfer. (See Sample,
Attachment 3.)
e. Any swimmer who is a resident of a prep school is not eligible to compete in
the Eastern Mass. YMCA league or Cluster Championships unless approved
by the Swim League Committee. Only swimmers who have previously
competed for a YMCA may apply.
2. All teams shall be accompanied by an adult representative at all times. Teams should
carry a First Aid Kit with them to all Championship Meets.
3. All meets shall be run in accordance with USA swimming Technical Rules.
B. Dual Meets
1. Events
a. Order of events - See Attachment 1
b. Class E, D, C, B, and A events shall be alternated starting with Class E.
c. In all classes the maximum number of events for an individual is 3 events one
of which must be a relay. (2 individual and 1 relay, or 2 relays and 1
individual)
d. Each team may enter 3 individual swimmers in a 6/8 lane pool and 2 relays in
any pool in any event. In an 8 lane pool the outside lanes may be used for
unofficial swimmers. Only 2 swimmers from each team and one relay may
score in the event.
e. Any swimmer swimming up a class must compete in that class for the entire
meet.
2. Meet Lineups
a. Lane assignments: Visitor – Odd lanes; Home – Even Lanes
b. Both coaches must have a lineup prepared before the meet and must present
such to the meet clerk ½ hour before the meet is to begin.
c. Once the meet begins no changes or additions may be made to the meet lineup
sheets.
d. There will be one official meet sheet for each class of swimmers competing.
Unofficial entries in any class are to be recorded on a separate sheet
preferably a different color, and may not be listed on the official sheets.
3. Scoring
a. Individual events 5, 3, 1, 0 points
b. Relays
7, 0 points
4. Meet Results
a. Final scores in each class should be reported by both teams and send by
postcard or email to the designated coordinator.
b. Home team score sheet is official and must be signed by both coaches with the
copy given to the visitors.
5. Officiating
a. Whenever possible there should be officials representing both the home and
visiting team.
b. Across the board finish judging will take precedence over timing, unless
electronic timing is used.
c. Home team should provide all stopwatches and the starting device for the
meet.
6. Meet Arrangements
a. It is the responsibility of the home team to contact the visiting team to review
the details at least 4 days prior to the meet.
b. If the Visiting team arrives at the Host YMCA later tan ½ hour after the listed
pool time without calling in advance, the Visiting team will forfeit the meet.
c. Backstroke flags are required for all dual meets. Host teams not complying
will forfeit these events.
7. Cancellations and Forfeitures
a. If due to inclement weather a swim meet is to be cancelled, it is the visitor’s
responsibility to notify the Host team of the cancellation and the Host’s
responsibility to reschedule the meet, giving the greatest latitude of choice to
the Visiting team. Notification of rescheduling should be made as soon as
possible to the Visiting team. In the event a Host team remains open for a
meet and the cancels out, this is to e called a cancellation and not forfeiture,
b.
c.
d.
e.
providing the Visiting team deems travel to be dangerous. A letter signed by
the Executive Director should be forwarded by the Visiting coach stating the
above circumstances and the Host team will then notify the swim league
coordinator of the results. Forfeiture is to be recorded for not complying with
the above on a team level.
If a team cancels out for any reason other than weather, it is up to the team
canceling to reschedule that meet. If for some reason a mutually acceptable
date cannot be arrived at, then the team originally canceling will forfeit.
Failure to swim any of the scheduled meets prior to the last day before the
District Championships will result in forfeiture by both teams.
Reporting should be done by post card or email stating forfeiture or
cancellation and at a future date a notification should be sent giving the
rescheduled meet results.
Notification time should be at least 3 hours prior to a meet for both the Host
and Visiting teams.
8. Unethical Behavior
a. If throughout the course of the dual meet season a team believes that unethical
and non-YMCA values behavior on the part of the opposing team has taken
place, this must be a reported immediately in writing to the League
Coordinator. If such an incident is verified the League Coordinator make take
action against the offending team in one or more of the following manners:
a. Suspend Coach
b. Forfeit dual meet or points therein
c. Take any other action deemed necessary.
C. District Championships
1. Events
a. Swimming will be conducted according to the Order of Events. (See
Attachment A)
b. The maximum number of events for an individual is 3 individual events
and 2 relay events.
2. Eligibility
a. A swimmer may compete only in her/his age group.
b. To be eligible for Districts Championships, competitors must have swum
in three dual meets during the current season, in addition to making the
cut-off time for an event.
3. Entries
a. Teams may enter as many swimmers that qualify in an event. Only four
may score.
b. No Competitor may be entered in more than the maximum number of
events.
c. The closing date of entries for Championships refers to the date entries
must be received. Entries received after the deadline will not be entered
into the meet.
d. Entry fees in check form must accompany entry sheets unless
circumstances are such that a late payment must be made. This is subject
to the approval of the Meet Director.
e. No refunds will be made on events not swum.
4. Awards
a. Identical awards will be awarded to all finalists, including relay members.
b. The team(s) with the best record during the dual meet season.
c. The team with the highest point total in each class.
5. Scoring
a. Individual Events 16, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 7, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
b. Relay Events 32, 26, 24, 22, 20, 18, 14, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2
6. Officiating
a. Electronic Timing will be used with backup manual timers included.
Attachment 1
Order of Events
a.
Class A
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
b.
160/200 yd. Medley Relay
200 yd. Freestyle
160/200 yd. Individual Medley
60/50 yd. Freestyle
100 yd. Butterfly
100 yd. Freestyle
500 yd. Freestyle
100 yd. Backstroke
100 yd. Breaststroke
400 yd. Freestyle Relay
Class B
1. 160/200 yd. Medley Relay
2. 200 yd. Freestyle
3. 160/200 yd. Individual Medley
4. 100 yd. Butterfly
5. 100 yd. Freestyle
6. 500 yd. Freestyle
7. 100 yd. Backstroke
8. 100 yd. Breaststroke
9. 160/200 yd. Freestyle Relay
c.
d.
e.
Class C
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
160/200 yd. Medley Relay
200 yd. Freestyle
160/200 yd. Individual Medley
40/50 yd. Freestyle
40/50 yd. Butterfly
100 yd. Freestyle
40/50 yd. Backstroke
40/50 yd. Breaststroke
160/200 yd. Freestyle Relay
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
160/200 yd. Medley Relay
160/200 yd. Individual Medley
40/50 yd. Freestyle
40/50 yd. Butterfly
100 yd. Freestyle
40/50 yd. Backstroke
40/50 yd. Breaststroke
160/200 yd. Freestyle Relay
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
80/100 yd. Medley Relay
80/100 yd. Individual Medley
20/25 yd. Freestyle
20/25 yd. Butterfly
40/50 yd. Freestyle
20/25 yd. Backstroke
20/25 yd. Breaststroke
80/100 yd. Freestyle Relay
Class D
Class E
Attachment 2
APPLICATION FOR Eastern MA YMCA SWIMMING RECORD (PRINT OR TYPEWRITE)
NOTE: Proof of time must accompany application. Proof must be signed by 2 YMCA Certified Officials.
Application is hereby made for an Eastern MA YMCA record in support of which the following information is submitted:
Class _______
Event ________________________________ Girls ______ Boys _______ Time ____________
Site of Meet _______________________________________________ Date of Meet ___________
Measurements of pool _________ ___
Number of Turns _____________
YMCA represented ____________________________YMCA Association No.________
Address _____________________________________City _________________ State _____ Zip _______
Name of Athlete ____________________________________ Date of Birth ________________
Address______________________________________________________________________
Street City, State, Zip
If Relay, list team members below:
Name
Date of Birth
1. _______________________________________ _______________________
2. _______________________________________ _______________________
3. _______________________________________ _______________________
4. _______________________________________ _______________________
Official #1_________________________
Print Name
Official #2_________________________
Print Name
__________________________
Signature
__________________________
Signature
Mail to:
Name __________________________________________________________
Address _________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip ____________________________________________________
Telephone Number ________________________________ Email _______________
Attachment 3
Sample Transfer by Consent
(Date)
To Whom It May Concern;
I ________________________________ CEO/Executive Director of the ______________________________
Name
YMCA
YMCA agree to the transfer of __________________________________from this YMCA to
Swimmers Name
_________________________________________ effective on ___________________________.
YMCA
_________________________________________has
Swimmer’s name
(Signatures)
date
been a member of this YMCA since____________________________.
date